Pensioner revolt on council taxes

THE Government faced further pressure to reform the council tax after a report highlighting the damaging effect of soaring bills on pensioners.

A study for Help the Aged and the Royal British Legion found bills had almost doubled in 10 years while pensions had risen by only a quarter.

Pensioners can spend 6% of their income on council tax, compared to 3% for average households.

The charities say above-inflation council tax increases discriminate against older people, many of whom are on fixed incomes. Last year average London bills increased by 18%, and by up to 45% in some boroughs.

The report, by the New Policy Institute, says only 60% of eligible pensioners claim council tax benefit, when the figure should be closer to 90%.

It calls for a relaxation in rules that disqualify from council tax benefit pensioners with savings of £16,000 or more and for an end to the capping of benefit for homes above band E because it penalises elderly residents living in homes whose value has outstripped their income.

Richard Wilson of Help the Aged said: 'The Government needs to act decisively if it wants to stem a growing pensioner rebellion over council tax.'